A MULTI-million-pound scheme to replace an eyesore building on Thornaby’s Mandale Triangle with student flats has been given the green light.

It is hoped the £8-£10m project will continue the redevelopment of the rundown area as well as bring extra jobs and income into Stockton.

The outline application sought the demolition of the existing derelict building – formerly The Rocket student union – and the erection of accommodation for around 200 students with a cafe/bar.

It is the third time in recent years Stockton’s planning committee has been asked to consider plans for student flats at the site.

Twice before similar schemes were rejected on the grounds they had not demonstrated there was “a proven need” for more student accommodation in the borough.

But a report by the authority’s planning officers said because the new plans would benefit regeneration and help meet Government aims for achieving economic growth, it was considered “these benefits would outweigh any harm that may arise out of the development not meeting a clearly proven need for student accommodation”.

Should the perceived student demand not materialise the building was “capable of being converted to an alternative use” such as residential or office, the report added.

Yesterday’s meeting was told there had been 14 letters of objection against the application, with concerns including that the area was “an industrial location and not a residential area”, it would lead to noise and disturbance for neighbouring residents and increase anti-social behaviour and the building was “too large and overbearing”.

Objector John Rutherford told the committee the adjacent Grade II listed Thornaby Town Hall “will be completely overshadowed by this development”.

But Thornaby Councillor Steve Walmsley, on the Stockton planning committee, believed the designers had been “quite sensitive to Thornaby Town Hall”. Fully supporting the plans, he added: “The regeneration of this area has been pressing for a long, long time. The only way you get regeneration is footfall. If regeneration goes ahead in this area the main place to benefit is Stockton centre.”